Two Arrested After Crash On I-495 Following Police Chase In Tewksbury

TEWKSBURY, MA — Two people were arrested after a police pursuit and crash Thursday night.

Richard Pelosi, 27, of Tyngsborough, was arrested on 11 arrest warrants, motor vehicle charges and drug charges. He was also charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, operating with a suspended license, speeding violations, fugitive from justice, and possession of both a Class A and Class B substance.

Ruthanne Messenheimer, 40, of Freeport, ME, was arrested on a warrant out of Lowell District Court and charged with possession of both a Class A and Class B substance.

On Wednesday, a Tewksbury police officer on routine patrol said he noticed two individuals acting suspiciously in a Toyota sedan on Andover Street around 7:15 p.m. After an initial investigation, the officer discovered Messenheimer, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant, police say.

Police say the officer attempted to pull the car over, but the driver, later identified as Pelosi, sped off, getting on I-495, soon reaching speeds of 120 mph and swerving from lane to lane.

Out of an abundance of caution, police say the officer broke off the pursuit and notified nearby law enforcement to be on the lookout for the Toyota.

Less than five minutes later, Tewksbury police say they were notified by Andover police that the Toyota had crashed on I-495.

Pelosi took off on foot but was quickly apprehended by a Massachusetts State Police K-9 unit, and Messenheimer remained at the scene.

According to police, a search of the crashed Toyota found small amounts of fentanyl, crack cocaine, and Suboxone.

Messenheimer and Pelosi were scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Lowell District Court.